National Briefing / NORTH CAROLINA

Soldier could face murder charge

Army prosecutors at Ft. Bragg said they would seek a murder charge against a Special Forces soldier accused of killing a civilian in Afghanistan and mutilating the body.

Officials at the U.S. Army Special Operations Command said prosecutors believe Master Sgt. Joseph D. Newell killed a resident of Hyderabad on March 5. He is also accused of cutting off the man's ear, larceny and violating a lawful order. If charged and convicted, he faces life without parole.

Newell faces a hearing Aug. 12 to determine whether he will be court-martialed.